Sculpin IPA - Ballast Point Brewing Company

Nugganooch

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Living in SD I have had the pleasure of enjoying this brew numerous times in many ways including double dry-hopped on cask but for my BA review I grabbed a few bombers straight from the brewery and into my pint glass at home.

A - Pours a golden orange honey hue with some slight haziness but incredibly clear for the IPA style. I had a little snow white head that dissipated quickly with slight lacing.

S - Smell is abundent with sweet citrus -grapefruit, tangerine and mango aromas.

T - An extreme burst of those bright citrusy grapefruit and mango flavors up front that lingers on all throughout. Very slight residual malt sweetness but alcohol barely detectable. Has you questioning "How is this 7% ABV" Hops continue to dance on the tongue as it finishes with a clean yeast bite that tickles your throat and leaves you wanting another gulp!

M - Very light bodied beer with great carbonation. This brew is deceptively good. As the description states Sculpin has a sting to your palate but tastes great.

D - Extremely high. For a hop forward beer Sculpin makes for very easy drinking. So well balanced. I am constantly hearing that even for folks that do not particularly enjoy hoppy beers they love some Sculpin.

I remember the days when Sculpin use to be a rare treat and always an incredible experience. For hop heads anywhere this is an incredible brew. A top 5 IPA on my list for sure. There is no wonder why it won GABF Gold 2010. I do contend however that with the scale up of production this beer has lost some of its luster. I have even seen 6-packs these days. Maybe because I have had some not so good Sculpin experiences at local establishments as well or that there are so many competetive hoppy beers in SD these days. Or maybe it is just me. None the less still a true masterpiece from the brewers at Ballast Point. Such a delicate and balanced use of mass hops. It is no wonder this brew is often sought after. Get to the point!

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2011 23:04:09 | More by Nugganooch

beardown2489

Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into a maidite snifter.

A - a clear golden IPA. Just enough hazy to barely see my hand on the other side of the snifter.

S - amazing scent for a single IPA. Grapefruit, orange, with a zesty pine.

T - Matches the smell. Thank God, many beers have that amazing smell but can't back it up. This one does.

M - drank over about 35 or 40 minutes. In the early stage, the beer covers the toungue with a cold and bright bitterness. But as it warms its mouthfeel becomes very similar to ZD, leaving a citra resin of taste all over the mouth with every sip.

O - It's good out of the fridge but after 20 minutes, it really is a world class IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 04:05:18 | More by beardown2489

Wally

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

05-23-2013 00:27:37 | More by Wally

CoCambria

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-22-2013 19:45:49 | More by CoCambria

davesway10

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev -15.3%

05-22-2013 18:16:29 | More by davesway10

DukeX13

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-22-2013 04:44:45 | More by DukeX13

grover37

District of Columbia

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

05-22-2013 04:23:07 | More by grover37

TheBoog013

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-22-2013 03:36:27 | More by TheBoog013

kgar2121

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-22-2013 02:43:49 | More by kgar2121

Gonzoillini

Illinois

5/5  rDev +12.9%

05-22-2013 01:08:06 | More by Gonzoillini

scoot64

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-21-2013 22:51:46 | More by scoot64

In_Control_Mike

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

05-21-2013 22:01:49 | More by In_Control_Mike

aleman39

California

4/5  rDev -9.7%

05-21-2013 21:21:15 | More by aleman39

jakecattleco

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-21-2013 19:20:37 | More by jakecattleco

VirginiaJeff1

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-21-2013 19:17:46 | More by VirginiaJeff1

Stugotzo

Florida

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

05-21-2013 18:08:12 | More by Stugotzo

Busker

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-21-2013 17:58:09 | More by Busker

PlinyBeMiney

California

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

05-21-2013 06:52:07 | More by PlinyBeMiney

TheCuriograph

New York

4/5  rDev -9.7%

05-21-2013 02:37:42 | More by TheCuriograph

CraftEyeDoc

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

05-21-2013 02:35:57 | More by CraftEyeDoc

cfitterer

Arizona

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-21-2013 02:23:08 | More by cfitterer

joejost

New York

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-21-2013 01:29:16 | More by joejost

Ak555667

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

05-21-2013 00:26:56 | More by Ak555667

deniserat

California

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

05-20-2013 22:35:12 | More by deniserat

ericwa1154

Texas

5/5  rDev +12.9%

05-20-2013 21:52:21 | More by ericwa1154